Suggest Dosage For Effexor

Posted on Mon, 23 Nov 2015

Question: I'm looking to taper off my 225mgs of Effexor, 150mgs at bedtime, 75mgs in the morning. I see a psychiatrist every 3 months. I'm taking the capsules, which don't have many dosages, and have read that people recommend opening the capsules and taking some out, as a way of slowing the taper. I cut my morning doseto37.5mgs a week ago, and today didn't take any. But I wonder if I should cut pm dose from 150mgs to 75mgs, and keep am dose at either 75mgs or 37.5mgs. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions? I'm very sensitive to the side effects, particularly the electric shocks in the brain, and I am willing to taper as slowly as possible to lessen the side effects. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
reduce night dose more slowly

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

You have already cut down your morning dose to 37.5 mg. No need to go back to 75 mg in morning now. You have not taken any morning dose today. I recommend continuing 37.5 mg in morning. Start reducing 37.5 mg from 150 mg every two weeks until 37.5 mg. Then stop morning 37.5 mg first and after 2 weeks 37.5 mg of night dose should be stopped. This will help to prevent any major withdrawal.
Gabapentin will also help to prevent withdrawal.
At any stage if you feel more discomfort get back to previous step dose and attempt after one more week.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T